Shirou's Return from the Fae Kingdom

After finishing lunch, the three of them headed straight home.

Shinji was still unconscious, so Shirou had to carry him on his back, while Sakura Matou walked silently beside him.

"Um... Brother Shirou..."

"I'm not your brother, just call me Shirou."

"Thank you for speaking up for me earlier in front of Father... Uncle Tokiomi."

Sakura Matou bit her lip, finally gathering her courage. "And also, I'm really very sorry... I lied before. I actually didn't want to leave the Tohsaka Family..."

"It's nothing, I'm used to betrayal by now."

Shirou said nonchalantly.

Volume 1, Chapter 007: The Budding of a Love Sick Heart

For Sakura Matou, today was a special day.

Since childhood, she had always lived under various kinds of protection.

Protection from her father.

Her father, who possessed the composure of an adult and maintained his elegance at all times.

Protection from her mother.

Her mother, gentle and virtuous, as if embodying the very definition of a Yamato Nadeshiko.

Protection from her older sister.

Though only a year older than Sakura, her sister was perfect, excelling at everything she did.

A cool older sister who would step in when her younger sister was bullied by boys, earning the respect of children and the praise of adults.

Up until now, Sakura Matou had lived under their protection.

But from today onwards, they would no longer be Sakura's family.

Tokiomi Tohsaka stroked little Sakura's head, imparting his final lesson.

"Sakura, you possess talent. You have the exceptional ability to fulfill the Tohsaka Family's long-cherished wish.

When you go to the Matou Family, do not forget the Tohsaka—do not forget the pride of being a Magus."

Sakura Matou couldn't quite understand the man's words.

She only realized that Tokiomi Tohsaka was no longer speaking to her as a father, but as a Magus.

Aoi Tohsaka hugged little Sakura, tears streaming down her face.

"You haven't done anything wrong, but since you were born into a family of Magus, you must learn to accept this fate."

Sakura Matou understood the woman's helplessness and powerlessness, and in turn, comforted the grieving Aoi Tohsaka.

Rin Tohsaka clenched her small fists, her expression on the verge of tears, but in the end, she said nothing and shed no tears.

This was the first time Sakura Matou had ever seen her sister look so dejected.

Ah, so older sister can make that kind of face too... the young girl thought to herself.

And so, she was sent to the Matou Family.

Sakura Matou vaguely understood why she was the one being sent away.

It was because Sakura was a well-behaved, obedient, and introverted child.

Rin Tohsaka, while excellent, had too strong a personality. If she were to go to the Matou Family, who knew what kind of trouble she might cause in the future—

This was something Tokiomi Tohsaka, who valued the family name above all else, absolutely could not accept.

In other words, Sakura Matou's greatest strength was her obedience.

Therefore, the young girl tried her best to be obedient, so that the adults wouldn't be disappointed in her.

Therefore, the young girl silently accepted everything; she didn't want to be seen as a disobedient, bad child by the adults.

She showed as much acceptance and compliance as possible towards Tokiomi Tohsaka's decision.

Sakura didn't want anyone around her to realize that she might be a rebellious child.

Even if only a little, the young girl wanted to show her unique worth—

Just then, a discordant noise rang out.

Sakura Matou looked up and saw a boy around her age.

He stood defiantly, with an annoyed expression, facing Tokiomi Tohsaka, who was radiating authority despite being decades older.

"Your daughter clearly doesn't want to go."

Huh? How could that be?

This was the first time Sakura Matou's thoughts had been seen through.

She shouldn't have shown even the slightest hint of reluctance; how did he know?

Many kind people cared about Sakura, but no one had ever seen through the girl's facade.

But he was different.

He didn't treat Sakura like a child who always hid behind her sister, was introverted, and obedient.

He saw through the grievances Sakura hid deep in her heart.

This person was completely different from everyone else, and the girl's chest pounded.

"Sakura, you don't want to leave the Tohsaka Family?"

In response to Tokiomi Tohsaka's confirmation, she could only frantically deny it.

Perhaps Sakura Matou was lying with this thought in mind—

"Knowing my true heart, only he is enough."

"Thank you for speaking up for me earlier in front of Father... Uncle Tohsaka.

Also, I'm sorry... I lied earlier, I actually don't want to leave the Tohsaka Family..."

On the way home, Sakura Matou nervously apologized to him.

Even though this person was speaking up for me, I... I did something really bad.

However, the boy replied nonchalantly, "It's nothing, I'm used to betrayal."

Sakura Matou's face turned pale: "Th-that..."

"Just kidding."

Under the setting sun, the boy showed the girl a gentle expression.

Shirou wouldn't stoop to arguing with a 6-year-old child.

Even though she lied at the time, it was under duress.

Besides, it didn't cause Shirou any harm. It was still a good child if she knew she was wrong afterward and was willing to apologize.

--After all, the Fae never admit any fault of their own.

"--"

The girl's lips parted slightly.

At this moment, Sakura Matou felt as if everything around her had stopped.

The girl didn't understand the meaning of "love at first sight" before, but now she did.

"Brother Shirou... no..."

At nine o'clock in the evening, Sakura Matou tossed and turned on an unfamiliar bed.

"Shirou... no, that's too familiar..."

"Amamiya-kun... sob, that doesn't work either, Shirou is actually a year older than me..."

After much thought, "Brother" seemed most appropriate.

It wasn't that Sakura Matou hoped Shirou would become her brother.

Unlike Shinji Matou, Shirou was more mature.

Gentle, steady, and caring.

Brave and fearless, yet full of justice.

Shirou fit all the definitions of an "ideal older brother" in the girl's heart.

If "Brother" didn't work, was there any other more suitable term?

The girl, only 6 years old, didn't know.

Perhaps when she grew up, she would know a title more fitting for Shirou than "Brother."

Until she found that word, she would call him "Brother Shirou" for now.

"Knock, knock, knock."

The cold knocking at the door interrupted her pleasant fantasy.

It was Tsuruno Matou.

"Grandfather is looking for you."

Sakura Matou nodded obediently: "I know, I'll be right there."

For some reason, the middle-aged man, who had now become the girl's father, glanced towards the corner of the room, as if afraid to meet her eyes.

"Get ready and come quickly, the Matou Family's magic training starts tonight."

Sakura Matou walked down the dark, unlit corridor.

Compared to the Tohsaka Family's mansion, this place was both gloomy and damp. It wasn't just a 7 or 8-year-old child who would be scared, but even an adult would find it terrifying.

But Sakura wasn't afraid.

The thought that Brother Shirou also lived in this mansion made the girl feel that there was nothing to be afraid of.

That person, despite being only seven years old, dared to face Tokiomi Tohsaka without any fear.

This was something even her sister couldn't do.

Sakura Matou once again felt the desire to grow up quickly.

I want to grow up fast.

Become an excellent girl.

Not just someone who isn't afraid of walking at night.

Sakura Matou also wanted to catch up to her sister and become a girl who could attract Brother Shirou's attention.

So—tonight's magic training, she had to work hard.

But... before she started working hard, it should be okay to give herself a little motivation, right?

Mhm, before going to Grandpa's, I'll go say goodnight to Brother Shirou first...

It would be even better if she could see him give her a gentle smile, hehe...

With that thought, Sakura Matou changed direction and headed for the guest room on the second floor.

"Sakura, where are you going?"

Around the corner, a hunched figure emerged from the darkness.